Bottle assembly

ABSTRACT

A 1-gallon bottle with a carry-handle. The bottle includes a plurality of selectively reinforced panels that distribute a top load through a top portion and a body portion of the bottle and into a base portion. The top portion can include a top panel having a plurality of radially oriented grooves. The body portion can include a back panel, a lower back panel, first and second label panels, first and second side panels, first and second front panels, and a center panel. Each of the panels can be connected with adjacent panels along interconnecting edges or corners. Certain of the panels (e.g., larger panels) can be selectively reinforced, while certain other panels can remain unreinforced. The back panel can include a concave portion to allow a user to easily grip the carry-handle.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/926,310, filed Oct. 25, 2019, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND A. Field

This disclosure generally relates to plastic bottles, such as bottles in the one-gallon size.

Related Art

Various designs for one-gallon bottles have been on the market. The present disclosure addresses limitations of existing one-gallon bottles as described below.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments of this disclosure are directed to a bottle assembly comprising a bottle and a handle that is attachable or attached to the bottle. The bottle may comprise a plurality of panels and a plurality of selectively positioned grooves.

For example, a bottle may comprise a top portion including a top panel below a neck of the bottle, the top panel extending circumferentially around a neck of the bottle, and preferably around a front side of the bottle and only partially around a rear side of the bottle to provide a space for positioning of the handle.

Below the top portion, the bottle may comprise a body portion comprising a plurality of panels, which may comprise larger and smaller panels, front and side panels, and a back panel extending downwardly from the top portion to enclose the bottle and provide for a space for positioning the handle. The back panel may have a concave surface to provide space for a user's hand and for positioning the handle generally within the largest radius of the bottle.

Below the body portion, the bottle may comprise a base portion comprising a bottom panel to enclose the bottom of the bottle. The bottom panel may comprise grooves to reinforce the bottom panel. The bottom panel may also comprise one or more grooves extending circumferentially around the base portion. The one or more grooves may have varying depth to provide selective reinforcement to varying portions of the bottle.

Grooves may positioned at selected locations of the bottle to provide desired reinforcement and load bearing strength. For example, radial grooves may be provided in the top panel. Grooves may also be positioned in some of the panels of the body portion, for example larger panels may have lateral grooves and smaller panels may omit grooves. In some embodiments, smaller panels in the body portion without grooves may be positioned above portions of the base portion having grooves of relatively shallower depth, and larger panels in the body portion with grooves may be positioned above portions of the base portion having grooves of relatively greater depth. The back panel may have also have grooves that extend generally downwardly along a long bearing path.

Further embodiments of the disclosure are directed to the handle of a bottle assembly. In some embodiments the handle is configured to attach to a neck of a bottle, extend radially outwardly from the neck, and then curve downward into a space within the outermost radius of the bottle. The handle may include grip enhancing features on an upper surface thereof. The handle may also include reinforcing ribs, such as curved ribs oriented in a direction of force transfer.

DRAWINGS

Various examples are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the examples. Various features of different disclosed examples can be combined to form additional examples, which are part of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a rear perspective view of a bottle;

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the bottle;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a bottle;

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the bottle;

FIG. 5 shows a left-side view of the bottle;

FIG. 6 shows a right-side view of the bottle;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the bottle;

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the bottle;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a handle;

FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of the handle;

FIG. 11 shows a front view of the handle;

FIG. 12 shows a rear view of the handle;

FIG. 13 shows a left-side view of the handle;

FIG. 14 shows a right-side view of the handle;

FIG. 15 shows a top view of the handle;

FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of the handle

FIG. 17 shows a section view taken along the line 17-17 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 shows a section view taken along the line 18-18 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 shows a rear perspective view of a bottle assembly including the bottle and the handle;

FIG. 20 shows a front perspective view of the assembly;

FIG. 21 shows a front view of the assembly;

FIG. 22A shows a rear view of the assembly;

FIG. 22B shows a section view taken along 22B-22B in FIG. 22A;

FIG. 23 shows a left-side view of the assembly;

FIG. 24 shows a right-side view of the assembly;

FIG. 25 shows a top view of the assembly;

FIG. 26 shows a bottom view of the assembly;

FIG. 27 shows a draft angle on a side panel of the bottle;

FIG. 28 shows curvature of grooves on a side panel of the bottle;

FIG. 29 shows orientation of grooves on a back panel of the bottle;

FIG. 30 shows a space between the handle and the back panel of the bottle;

-   -   and

FIGS. 31A-35 show a curvature of the back panel of the bottle;

FIG. 36 shows a side view of another embodiment of the handle;

FIG. 37 shows a perspective view of the handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various features and advantages of the systems, devices, and methods of the technology described herein will become more fully apparent from the following description of the examples illustrated in the figures. These examples are intended to illustrate the principles of this disclosure, and this disclosure should not be limited to merely the illustrated examples. The features of the illustrated examples can be modified, combined, removed, and/or substituted as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the principles disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1-8 show a bottle 140. The bottle 140 can be sized to accommodate approximately one gallon of a fluid, such as water. However, the bottle 140 can have other sizes and accommodate other volumes of a liquid. The bottle 140 can comprise a polymer material. In one example, the bottle 140 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The material of the bottle 140 can be generally translucent (e.g., transparent). The bottle 140 can be formed through a blow molding process from a preform. The bottle 140 can generally include a plurality of grooves. The grooves can provide structural reinforcement to various panels of the bottle 140, as described further below. As used herein, the term “groove” is generally used to refer to a concave channel. However, each “groove” described herein can alternatively be implemented as a convex rib.

The bottle 140 can include a top portion 142. The top portion 142 can include a neck 150. The neck 150 can include an opening 151. The opening 151 can be generally circular. The opening 151 can lead into an interior enclosure within the bottle 140. The neck 150 can include at least one thread 152. The thread 152 can extend around a cylindrical portion of the neck 150. The thread 152 can connect with a cap (not shown). The neck 150 can include a lower flange 154. The lower flange 154 can extend around a circumference of the cylindrical portion of the neck 150. The lower flange 154 can extend outwardly from the cylindrical portion of the neck 150. The bottle 140 can include a tamper evident formation between the lower flange 154 and the thread 152.

The neck 150 can include a mounting portion 156. The mounting portion 156 can be located adjacent to or below the lower flange 154. The mounting portion 156 can include a circumferential portion of the neck 150. In certain other implementations, the mounting portion 156 need not be cylindrical in shape and instead can include other form factors (e.g., star-shaped, hexagonal, quadrangular).

The top portion 142 can include a top panel 160. The top panel 160 can connect with the neck 150. The top panel 160 can extend circumferentially about the neck 150. The top panel 160 can comprise a plurality of radial grooves 161. The radial grooves 161 can include first through fifth grooves 161 a-161 e. The radial grooves 161 can be spaced (e.g., evenly) around the surface of the top panel 160. The radial grooves 161 can extend radially about the neck 150. The radial grooves 161 can include an indented region. The indented region can include a bottom wall 162 a and a first and second sidewalls 162 b, 162 c connecting on opposite sides of the bottom wall 162 a, and a lower wall 162 d. The first and second sidewalls 162 b, 162 c and the lower wall 162 d can be generally triangularly shaped. In alternative arrangements, the radial grooves 161 can protrude outwardly from the top panel 160. The radial grooves 161 can function to reinforce the top panel 160 against deformation. The radial grooves 161 can direct a load on the top portion 142 (e.g., load placed on the top portion 142, for example due to the stacking of bottles 140) towards a body portion 144 of the bottle 140.

The bottle 140 can include the body portion 144. The body portion 144 can comprise a plurality of panels. Each of the panels can be slightly convex. The panels can be designed such that all panels about a circumference of bottle 140 have approximately same strength. For example, larger panels can include reinforcing structures such as grooves and to have approximately the same strength as smaller panels. The plurality of panels can connect together to enclose the interior enclosure of the bottle 140. The plurality of panels can include a back panel 171, first and second label panels 173, 174, first and second side panels 175, 176, first and second front panels, 177, 178, a center panel 179, and/or a lower panel 181.

The plurality of panels can be interconnected with each other at convex interconnection regions. The interconnection regions can be corners or edges located between adjacent panels. The interconnection regions can be relatively stiff compared with the panels. Desirably, one or more of the radial grooves 161 can be aligned with interconnection regions of the body portion 144 between the first and second side panels 175, 176 and the first and second label panels 173, 174, respectively. Others of the radial grooves 161 can be generally aligned with centers of the center panel 179 and/or the first and second front panels 177, 178.

The body portion 144 can include the back panel 171. As described further below in FIGS. 31A-35, the back panel 171 can include a generally concave structure. The back panel 171 can connect on an upper side with the top panel 160, on first and second sides with the respective first and second label panels 173, 174, and on a lower side with the lower back panel 181. The back panel 171 can include a plurality of grooves 172. The plurality of grooves 172 can be generally aligned along a vertical direction between the upper side of the top panel 160 and a lower side of the top panel 160. The grooves 172 can include first, second and third grooves 172 a-172 c. Each of the grooves 172 can comprise an indented lower wall and a pair of sidewalls connecting on either side of the lower wall. Alternatively the grooves can be convex ribs and protrude outwardly from the panel 171. As shown in FIG. 29, the grooves 172 can direct a load force on the bottle 140 (e.g., load placed on the top portion 142, for example due to the stacking of bottles 140) through the back panel 171 and to the smaller, stiffer lower back panel 181.

The first label panel 173 can be a generally flat region of the body portion 144. In another example, the first label panel 173 can be curved. The first label panel 173 can lack any ribs, grooves or other reinforcing structure. The first label panel 173 can comprise a translucent portion of the material of the bottle 140. The first label panel 173 can connect at an upper side with the top panel 160, on a first side with the back panel 171 and the lower back panel 181, and on a second side with the first side panel 175. The back side of a label on the first label panel 173 can be visible through one or more other panels of the bottle 140.

The second label panel 174 can be a generally flat region of the body portion 144. In another example, the second label panel 174 can be curved. The second label panel 174 can lack any ribs, grooves or other reinforcing structure. The second label panel 174 can comprise a translucent portion of the material of the bottle 140. The second label panel 174 can connect at an upper side with the top panel 160, on a first side with the back panel 171 and the lower back panel 181, and on a second side with the second side panel 176. The back side of a label on the second label panel 174 can be visible through one or more other panels of the bottle 140.

The first side panel 175 can be a generally flat region (e.g., gently curved) of the body portion 144. The first side panel 175 can lack any ribs, grooves or other reinforcing structure. The first side panel 175 can connect at an upper side with the top panel 160, on a first side with the first front panel 177, and on a second side with the first label panel 173.

The second side panel 176 can be a generally flat region of the body portion 144. The second side panel 176 can lack any ribs, grooves or other reinforcing structure. The second side panel 176 can connect at an upper side with the top panel 160, on a first side with the second front panel 178, and on a second side with the second label panel 174.

The first front panel 177 can be a generally flat region of the body portion 144. In another example, the first front panel 177 can be curved. The first front panel 177 can include a plurality of lateral grooves 183. The lateral grooves 183 can be generally concave. The lateral grooves 183 can include first-fourth lateral grooves 183 a-183 d. The lateral grooves 183 can be oriented along a generally lateral direction (e.g., orthogonal with the vertical direction). The lateral grooves 183 can be distributed evenly along a vertical direction across the first front panel 177. The first front panel 177 can connect at an upper side with the top panel 160, on a first side with the first side panel 175, and on a second side with the center panel 179. Curvature of the lateral grooves 183 can match the curvature of the interconnection region between the first front panel 177 and the top panel 160, as illustrated in FIG. 28. The lateral grooves 183 can impart strength to the first front panel 177 by trapping material within the panel (e.g., making the first front panel 177 stiffer). The lateral direction of the lateral grooves 183 also act as load path directors to the stiff interconnection regions on the first and second sides of the first front panel 177.

The second front panel 178 can be a generally flat region of the body portion 144. In another example, the second front panel 178 can be curved. The second front panel 178 can include a plurality of grooves 184. The lateral grooves 184 can be generally concave. The grooves 184 can include first-fifth grooves. The grooves 184 can be oriented along a generally lateral direction (e.g., orthogonal with the vertical direction). The lateral grooves 184 can be distributed evenly along a vertical direction across the second front panel 178. The second front panel 178 can connect at an upper side with the top panel 160, on a first side with the second side panel 176, and on a second side with the center panel 179. The lateral grooves 184 can impart strength to the second front panel 178 by trapping material within the panel (e.g., making the second front panel 178 stiffer). The lateral direction of the lateral grooves 184 also act as load path directors to the stiff interconnection regions on the first and second sides of the second front panel 178.

The center panel 179 can be a generally flat region of the body portion 144. In another example, the center panel 179 can be curved. The center panel 179 can lack any ribs, grooves or other reinforcing structure. The center panel 179 can connect at an upper side with the top panel 160, on a first side with the first front panel 177, and on a second side with the second front panel 178.

The lower back panel 181 can be a generally flat region of the body portion 144. In another example, the lower back panel 181 can be curved. The lower back panel 181 can lack any ribs, grooves or other reinforcing structure. The lower back panel 181 can connect at an upper side with the back panel 171, on a first side with the first label panel 173, and on a second side with the second label panel 174.

The bottle 140 can include a base portion 146. The base portion 146 can include a bottom panel 193. The bottom panel 193 can enclose a lower end of the bottle 140. Each of the first and second label panels 173, 174, the first and second side panels 175, 176, the first and second front panels, 177, 178, the center panel 179, and/or the lower panel 181 can extend downwards onto the base portion 146 and connect with the bottom panel 193.

The bottom panel 193 can include a plurality of grooves 194. In one implementation of the plurality of grooves 194 includes eight grooves in a crossed pattern. The plurality of grooves 194 can extend from a central portion of the bottom panel 193 towards an outer circumference of the bottom panel 193. Each of the grooves of the plurality of grooves 194 can include a concave groove. The outer circumference of the bottom panel 193 can include an outer rounded portion 193 a. The outer rounded base portion 193 a can extend around the outer circumference of the base portion 146. The grooves 194 can reinforce the bottom panel 193.

The base portion 146 can include a first varying groove 191. The first varying groove 191 can extend around the circumference of the base portion 146. The first varying groove 191 can comprise a concave channel within the panels of the base portion 146. The concave channel can include upper and lower walls on either side of a bottom wall. The bottom wall can be a inwardly recessed towards a longitudinal axis of the bottle 140. The first varying groove 191 can include shallow portions (of lesser recess depth of the concave channel) and deeper portions (of greater recess depth of the concave channel).

The deeper portions can be relatively stiffer than the shallower portions because they include more material. The shallow portions can be relatively weaker than the deeper portions because they include less material. Accordingly, the deeper portions can impart more stiffness to the panels in which they are located than the stiffness imparted by the shallow portions. Accordingly certain panels of the body portion 144 can be stiffened through the use of the deeper portions of the first varying groove 191. Certain other panels can include the shallower portions of the first varying groove 191. The shallower and deeper portions can alternate around the circumference of the base portion 146. The deeper portions of the first varying groove 191 can be aligned with the smaller panels (e.g., lower back panel 181, the first and second side panels 175, 176, and the center panel 179). The shallower portions of the first varying groove 191 can be aligned with the larger panels (e.g., first and second front panels 177, 178 and the first and second label panels 173, 174). The shallower portions of the first varying groove 191 can be aligned with the panels that already include additional reinforcement (e.g., first and second front panels 177, 178 with grooves 183, 184). The deeper portions of the first varying groove 191 can be aligned with the panels that do not already include additional reinforcement (e.g., lower back panel 181, the first and second side panels 175, 176, and the center panel 179). The first and second label panels 173, 174 can be aligned with shallow portions of the first varying groove 191 because they bear a limited load during stacking/top-loading of the bottle 140. The lower back panel 181 can be aligned with a deeper portion of the first varying groove 191 as it has the potential to bear a portion of the load during stacking/top-loading of the bottle 140.

Alternatively, the arrangement of deeper and shallower portions are reversed. Further detail on the first varying groove 191 can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,556,098, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The base portion 146 can also include a second varying groove 192. The second varying groove 192 can extend below and be offset from the first varying groove 191. The second varying groove 192 can have the same structure as the first varying groove 191.

FIGS. 9-18 show a handle 240. The handle 240 can include a handle portion 250 and an attachment portion 260. The handle 240 can be formed out of unitary piece of plastic (e.g., be a single piece, monolithic). The handle 240 can be injection molded. The handle 240 can be generally L-shaped.

The handle portion 250 can generally comprise an elongated structure sized for grasping in a person's hands. The handle portion can include an upper portion 250 a and a lower portion 250 b. The upper portion 250 a can be aligned along a generally horizontal plane. The lower portion 250 b can be aligned along a generally vertical plane (e.g., within 45° of vertical). The upper portion 250 a can include a connection with the attachment portion 260. The lower portion 250 b can include a lower end of the handle 240. The handle portion 250 can include a generally tapered shape from the upper portion 250 a to the lower end 250 b when viewed from a side (e.g., FIG. 13) or back (e.g., FIG. 12). The taper and/or general curvature of the handle 240 can retain clearance between the handle 240 and the bottle 140, as described further below.

The handle portion 250 can include an outer wall 251. The outer wall 251 can extend from the upper portion 250 a to the lower portion 250 b along an outer side of the handle portion 250. The outer wall 251 can be connected with an inner wall 252. The inner wall 252 can extend from the upper portion 250 a to the lower portion 250 b along an inner side of the handle portion 250. The inner wall 252 can be connected to the outer wall 251 through a central wall 253. The central wall 253 can be oriented orthogonal to the outer and/or inner walls 251, 252.

The handle portion 250 can include a plurality of ribs 254. The plurality of ribs 254 can connect between the outer wall 251 and the inner wall 252. The plurality of ribs 254 can connect with the central wall 253. The ribs 254 can have the effect of reducing the amount of plastic material required to manufacture the handle 240. The ribs 254 can prevent undue deformation of the handle portion 250 (e.g., to inhibit touching of the bottle 140 by the handle portion 250). The plurality of ribs 254 can comprise a plurality of curved ribs 255. The curvature of the curved ribs 255 can follow the direction of a force transfer between the outer wall 251 and the inner wall 252. Accordingly the curved ribs 255 can better handle stresses from loading the handle 240 despite the use of less material. The curvature of the curved ribs 255 can also allow for placement of ejector pins (e.g., during injection molding).

The handle portion 250 can include a thumb grip portion 256. The thumb grip portion 256 can be at a transition between the upper portion 250 a and the lower portion 250 b on the outer wall 251. The thumb grip portion 256 can comprise a plurality of grip enhancing features such as ribs, grooves, channels or protrusions (e.g., circular protrusions).

The attachment portion 260 can comprise a ring 262. The ring 262 can be sized to be mounted on the mounting portion 156 of the neck 150. The ring portion 262 can be generally circular.

As shown in FIG. 10 the connection between the upper portion 250 a with the ring 262 can be reinforced with a plurality of fillets 261. The fillets 261 can be located between the outer wall 251, the inner wall 252 and/or the central wall 253 and the ring structure 262. The fillets 261 can be thickened and/or smoothed regions. The fillets 261 can distribute forces across the connection between the upper portion 250 a with the ring 262 with fewer and/or lessor stress concentrations. Thus, the connection between the handle portion 250 and the attachment portion 260 can be strengthened.

FIGS. 19-26 show a bottle assembly 340. The bottle assembly 340 can include the bottle 140 assembled with the handle 240. The handle portion 250 can be assembled with the bottle 140 during the construction of the bottle such as before or after the blow molding stage. In another example, the handle 240 can be coupled to the bottle 140 after the blow molding process. The attachment portion 260 can be mounted on the neck 150. Specifically, as is shown in FIG. 23 the ring structure 262 can be mounted on the mounting portion 156 of the neck 150. The ring structure 262 can be mounted below the lower flange 154 and above the top panel 160. Lifting forces (e.g., from a person grasping the handle 240) can be transferred through the handle 240, through the attachment portion 260 and onto the neck 150 and the rest of the bottle 140. As shown in FIG. 23, the outer wall 251 of the handle 240 can be located within the outer circumference of the bottle 140 (e.g., the body portion 144 and/or the base portion 146, as represented by the line B).

FIG. 27 shows a draft angle 410. The body portion 144 can be angled inwardly relative to an outer circumference of the base portion 146 by the draft angle 410. The draft angle 410 can be between the panels of the body portion 144 and a vertical line extending from the outer circumference of the base portion 146. The draft angle 410 can be approximately 3 degrees. In other implementations the draft angle 410 can be between 0 and 8 degrees approximately.

After the bottle 140 is blow-molded it can be placed on a conveyor where it contacts other identical bottles. To reduce damage and/or tipping due to contact between bottles 140, the draft angle 410 can be utilized such that only the base portions 146 of bottles 140 can contact with each other. Accordingly, the draft angle 410 allows for reduced contact between the body portions 144 of bottles 140 during the manufacturing process. Moreover, the varying grooves 191, 192 can reinforce the base portion 146 against damage due to contact with other bottles. The bottles 140 can contact each other below a center of gravity of each of the bottles (e.g., within the base portion 146). This substantially reduces the risk of tipping over either full or empty of the bottles 140. The bottle 140 of the bottle assembly 340 can also have a center of gravity that is relatively low in a vertical direction (e.g., within the body portion 144 or the base portion 146) to reduce the risk of tipping.

As shown in FIGS. 30-35, the back panel 171 can include a concave region (e.g., a surface dip). The concave region can increase the space available for a person's hand to grasp the handle 240. FIG. 30 shows a representation of a person's fingers F located within the space between the handle 240 and the panel 171. The center of the surface dip can be inward of a line L (e.g., towards the central axis 100). The line L can extending between the first and second sides of the back panel 171, as shown in FIG. 31A. The line L can extend between upper corners 171 c, 171 d of the back panel 171 that connect with upper corners of the label panels 171, 173. The back panel 171 can extend inwardly toward the central axis 100 and/or away from the line L to create a vertically concave portion of the back panel 171 (vertically convex portions of the back panel 171 can be generally aligned with the grooves 172 a, 172 c). An upper portion of the concave region in the back panel 171 can be deeper than a lower portion of the concave region. The upper portion can generally align with the person's larger upper fingers F (e.g., index and middle fingers). The lower portion can generally align with the person's smaller upper fingers F (e.g., ring and pinky fingers). As shown in FIG. 22B, the line L2 can extend from an upper corner 171 a of the back panel 171 with the top panel 160 and a lower corner 171 b of the back panel 171 with the lower panel 181. The concave region of the back panel 171 can extend inwardly toward the central axis 100 and/or away from the line L2 to create a horizontally concave portion of the back panel 171.

The handle 240 can be shaped to increase the space available for the person's hand to grasp the handle 240. The attachment portion 260 and the handle portion 250 can extend outwardly away from the back panel 171 to accommodate the person's fingers F. The outer and inner walls 251, 252 of the handle 240 can be tapered more closely together in the attachment portion 260 relative to the handle portion 250 to provide additional space for the person's larger fingers. A lower portion of the handle portion 250 can extend closer to the back panel 171, as less space is needed for the person's smaller fingers.

When the bottle 140 is top-loaded/stacked, the load force can cause the handle 240 to touch the back panel 171 and/or the lower back panel 181. The grooves 172 on the back panel 171 provide a load bearing path to keep the top portion 142 and the body portion 144 from buckling and thereby keep handle 240 from touching the back panel 171 panel below the lower end of the handle 240. The lower back panel 181 can also be aligned with a deeper groove portion of the varying groove 191 to better accommodate loading through the back panel 171 and prevent buckling of the lower back panel 181. If buckling of the back panel 171 occurs, the handle 240 may touch the lower back panel 181. The additional reinforcement of the lower back panel 181 with the deeper portion of the varying groove 191 can accommodate the additional loading and thereby prevent further buckling. A height of the handle 240 can vary in proportion to a diameter of the bottle 140. Desirably the handle 240 can maintain a spacing between the lower end of handle 240 and the back panel 171 (e.g., regardless of handle length and diameter of the bottle 140).

FIGS. 36-37 illustrates another embodiment of a bottle assembly 400 that includes a bottle and a handle 440. The bottle can be the same as the bottle 140, with the differences noted herein. The bottle can include a plurality of panels (e.g., front, center, side, label, back, lower back panels) having a top portion 442, a body portion 444, and a base portion 446. The top portion 442 can include a neck 450 having a lower flange 454. The neck 450 can be connected with a top panel 460 of the top portion 442.

The handle 440 can include a handle portion 440 a. The handle 440 a can be structured like the handle 250 (e.g., including an upper horizontal portion, a lower vertical portion, a tapered shape, one or more ribs, etc.). The handle portion 440 can include an attachment portion 440 b. The attachment portion 440 b can be structured as a ring. The handle 440 can be used in the assembly 340 in place of the handle 240.

The handle 440 can include a lower projection 441. The lower projection 441 can extend outwardly and/or downwardly from the handle portion 440 a and/or the attachment portion 440 b. The lower projection 441 can be generally wedge-shaped as viewed in side elevation, as shown in FIG. 36. The lower projection 441 can include an inner face on the side of the attachment portion 440 b. In the assembled configuration of the handle 440 with the neck 450 of the bottle, the projection 441 can contact an upper portion 460 a of the top panel 460. The upper portion 460 a can be aligned with the back panel of the body portion 444 and can optionally include the interconnecting region or corner between the back panel and the top panel 460. The inner face of the projection 441 can contact the upper portion 460 a or otherwise on the top panel 460. The projection 441 can function to provide a bracing force for the handle portion 440 a and/or space the handle portion 440 a away from the back panel of the bottle (e.g., when the bottle is lifted by the handle 440).

The attachment portion 440 b can include the ring. The ring can be sized to fit over the neck 450. The ring can include one or more inner deflectable members 447. The deflectable members 447 can be coupled on a lower end with the ring and extend upwardly and inwardly at an angle to an upper end. The upper ends can form a circular area having a diameter. The diameter of the circular area can be less than a diameter of the lower flange 454. The handle 440 can be assembled with the neck 450 (before or after blow-molding the bottle) by aligning the attachment portion 440 b with the neck 450 and seating the ring beneath the lower flange 454 and about a mounting portion (similar to mounting portion 156) on the neck 450. The deflectable member 447 can deflect inwardly to allow the ring to be seated and then deflect outwardly to retain the ring on the neck 450 by interference with the lower flange 454.

Certain Terminology

Terms of orientation used herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “proximal,” “distal,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” and “end,” are used in the context of the illustrated example. However, the present disclosure should not be limited to the illustrated orientation. Indeed, other orientations are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. Terms relating to circular shapes as used herein, such as diameter or radius, should be understood not to require perfect circular structures, but rather should be applied to any suitable structure with a cross-sectional region that can be measured from side-to-side. Terms relating to shapes generally, such as “circular,” “cylindrical,” “semi-circular,” or “semi-cylindrical” or any related or similar terms, are not required to conform strictly to the mathematical definitions of circles or cylinders or other structures, but can encompass structures that are reasonably close approximations.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain examples include or do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more examples.

Conjunctive language, such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain examples require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, in some examples, as the context may dictate, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially,” may refer to an amount that is within less than or equal to 10% of the stated amount. The term “generally” as used herein represents a value, amount, or characteristic that predominantly includes or tends toward a particular value, amount, or characteristic. As an example, in certain examples, as the context may dictate, the term “generally parallel” can refer to something that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 20 degrees. All ranges are inclusive of endpoints.

Summary

Several illustrative examples of bottle assemblies have been disclosed. Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain illustrative examples and uses, other examples and other uses, including examples and uses which do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Components, elements, features, acts, or steps can be arranged or performed differently than described and components, elements, features, acts, or steps can be combined, merged, added, or left out in various examples. All possible combinations and subcombinations of elements and components described herein are intended to be included in this disclosure. No single feature or group of features is necessary or indispensable.

Certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one example in this disclosure can be combined or used with (or instead of) any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different example or flowchart. The examples described herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other. Combinations, variations, and some implementations of the disclosed features are within the scope of this disclosure.

While operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Additionally, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in some implementations. Also, the separation of various components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. Additionally, some implementations are within the scope of this disclosure.

Further, while illustrative examples have been described, any examples having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, and/or combinations are also within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, although certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein, not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular example. For example, some examples within the scope of this disclosure achieve one advantage, or a group of advantages, as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages taught or suggested herein. Further, some examples may achieve different advantages than those taught or suggested herein.

Some examples have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. The figures are drawn and/or shown to scale, but such scale should not be limiting, since dimensions and proportions other than what are shown are contemplated and are within the scope of the disclosed invention. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed, and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with various examples can be used in all other examples set forth herein. Additionally, any methods described herein may be practiced using any device suitable for performing the recited steps.

For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and features of the inventions have been described herein. Not all, or any such advantages are necessarily achieved in accordance with any particular example of the inventions disclosed herein. No aspects of this disclosure are essential or indispensable. In many examples, the devices, systems, and methods may be configured differently than illustrated in the figures or description herein. For example, various functionalities provided by the illustrated modules can be combined, rearranged, added, or deleted. In some implementations, additional or different processors or modules may perform some or all of the functionalities described with reference to the examples described and illustrated in the figures. Many implementation variations are possible. Any of the features, structures, steps, or processes disclosed in this specification can be included in any example.

In summary, various examples of bottle assemblies and related methods have been disclosed. This disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed examples to other alternative examples and/or other uses of the examples, as well as to certain modifications and equivalents thereof. Moreover, this disclosure expressly contemplates that various features and aspects of the disclosed examples can be combined with, or substituted for, one another. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed examples described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A 1-gallon bottle assembly comprising: a top portion, including: a neck having an opening into an interior enclosure; a top panel; a plurality of radial grooves in the top panel, the radial grooves spaced apart and disposed radially about the neck; a body portion connected with the top portion, the body portion including: a back panel, first and second label panels, first and second side panels, first and second front panels, and a center panel; a first front-center corner connecting the first front panel with the center panel, a second front-center corner connecting the first front panel with the center panel; a first side-front corner connecting the first front panel with the first side panel, a second side-front corner connecting the second front panel with the second side panel; a first label-side corner connecting the first side panel with the first label panel, a second label-side corner connecting the second side panel with the second label panel; a first back-label corner connecting the first label panel with the back panel, a second back-label corner connecting the second label panel with the back panel; a base portion connected with the body portion, the base portion including: a lower rear panel aligned with the back panel, first and second lower label panels aligned with the respective first and second label panels, first and second lower side panels aligned with the respective first and second side panels, first and second lower front panels aligned with the respective first and second front panels, and a lower center panel aligned with the center panel; a bottom panel connected with each of the lower rear panel, first and second lower label panels, first and second lower side panels, first and second lower front panels, and the lower center panel and configured to enclose a lower end of the interior enclosure; wherein the plurality of grooves are configured to reinforce the top panel against deformation and distribute a top load through the body portion.
 2. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 1, wherein a first groove of the radial grooves is aligned with the first center panel corner, a second groove of the radial grooves is aligned with the first front panel, and a third groove of the radial grooves is aligned with the second front panel to distribute the top load.
 3. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 2, wherein a fourth groove of the radial grooves is aligned with the first side panel, and a fifth groove of the plurality of radial grooves is aligned with the second side panel to distribute the top load.
 4. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 1, wherein a first groove of the radial grooves is aligned with the first back-label corner and a second groove of the radial grooves is aligned with the second back-label corner.
 5. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the radial grooves is triangularly shaped.
 6. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 1, wherein the top panel connects with the back panel at an upper corner, the upper corner having a first end at the first label panel, a second end at the second label panel and an intermediate portion therebetween, the intermediate portion extending radially inwardly and arcing upwardly towards the neck portion relative to a straight-line distance between the first end and the second end of the upper corner.
 7. A 1-gallon bottle assembly comprising: a top portion, including: a neck having an opening into an interior enclosure; a top panel extending from the neck; a body portion connected with the top portion, the body portion including: a back panel, first and second label panels, first and second side panels, first and second front panels, and a center panel; a first front-center corner connecting the first front panel with the center panel, a second front-center corner connecting the first front panel with the center panel; a first side-front corner connecting the first front panel with the first side panel, a second side-front corner connecting the second front panel with the second side panel; a first label-side corner connecting the first side panel with the first label panel, a second label-side corner connecting the second side panel with the second label panel; a first back-label corner connecting the first label panel with the back panel, a second back-label corner connecting the second label panel with the back panel; a base portion connected with the body portion, the base portion including: a lower rear panel aligned with the back panel, first and second lower label panels aligned with the respective first and second label panels, first and second lower side panels aligned with the respective first and second side panels, first and second lower front panels aligned with the respective first and second front panels, and a lower center panel aligned with the center panel; a bottom panel connected with each of the lower rear panel, first and second lower label panels, first and second lower side panels, first and second lower front panels, and the lower center panel and configured to enclose a lower end of the interior enclosure; wherein the center panel, the first and second side panels, and the first and second label panels lack any reinforcing structure and the first and second front panels each comprise a plurality of lateral grooves.
 8. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 7, wherein a horizontal width of each of the center panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel is less than a horizontal width of each of the first and second front panels.
 9. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 7, wherein the base portion comprises a circumferential groove within the lower rear panel, the first and second lower label panels, the first and second lower side panels, the first and second lower front panels, and the lower center panel.
 10. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 9, wherein the circumferential groove includes shallow portions and deep portions, the shallow portions aligned with the center panel and the first and second side panels, and the deep portions aligned with the first and second front panels and the first and second label panels.
 11. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 7, wherein the label panels are triangularly shaped.
 12. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 7, further comprising a lower body panel positioned between the back panel and the lower rear panel, the first label panel connected with the lower body panel at a first lower corner and the second label panel connected with the lower body panel at a second lower corner.
 13. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 7, wherein the back panel comprises a plurality of vertically oriented grooves.
 14. A 1-gallon bottle assembly comprising: a top portion, including: a neck having an opening into an interior enclosure and having an axis aligned with the neck; a top panel extending at least partially around the neck; a body portion, the body portion including: a back panel connected with the top panel at an upper corner, the upper corner extending from a first end to a second end with an intermediate portion therebetween; and a lower panel connected with the back panel at a lower corner; a base portion connected with the body portion, the base portion including: a lower rear panel aligned with the lower panel; and a bottom panel enclosing a lower end of the interior enclosure; a handle coupled with the top portion, including: an attachment portion coupled with the neck; and a handle portion coupled with the attachment portion and extending therefrom to a lower end, the handle portion aligned over the back panel and spaced therefrom to create a hand grip region therebetween; wherein the back panel includes a concave portion extending inwardly towards the axis relative to a straight-line distance between the upper corner and the lower corner, and the concave portion extends radially inwardly towards the axis relative to a straight-line distance between the first end and the second end of the upper corner, the concave portion configured to form part of the hand grip region.
 15. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 14, wherein the back panel includes a first vertically oriented convex portion and a second vertically oriented convex portion disposed on opposing sides of the concave portion.
 16. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 14, wherein the back panel includes a plurality of vertically oriented grooves, the grooves configured to stiffen the back panel and direct a load force towards the lower rear panel.
 17. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 16, wherein a central groove of the plurality of vertically oriented grooves is disposed within the concave portion.
 18. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 16, wherein the back panel includes a first vertically oriented convex portion and a second vertically oriented convex portion disposed on opposing sides of the concave portion, a first groove of the plurality of vertically oriented grooves is disposed on the first vertically oriented convex portion, and a second groove of the plurality of vertically oriented grooves is disposed on the second vertically oriented convex portion.
 19. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 14, wherein the handle portion includes an upper horizontal portion coupled with the attachment portion and a lower vertical portion having a taper that tapers down to the lower end, the taper configured to enlarge the hand grip region.
 20. The 1-gallon bottle assembly of claim 19, wherein the handle portion includes an outer wall and an inner wall extending from the attachment portion to the lower end, the outer wall connected with the inner wall by a plurality of ribs, the attachment portion including a ring disposed around the neck, and the outer wall and the inner wall coupled with the ring and a lower projection configured to brace the handle portion against the top panel. 